The assessment of the efficiency of various well and desalinated water combinations for vegetable crop irrigation. A desalinated water mixing rate has allowed optimal water use, reduced CO₂ emissions, and promoted healthy plant growth, according to the findings.
Descriptive Summary
Background
The Chtouka region, located in the Souss-Massa plain in Morocco, is facing a growing water shortage, exacerbated by climate change, overexploitation of groundwater, and soil salinization. These issues compromise agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of local populations. To address this, a seawater desalination plant has been put into operation. Using reverse osmosis technology, it provides high-quality fresh water, intended to meet municipal needs and, for the first time, the irrigation of agricultural land.
Aims and Goals
The BONEX project, in which the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute is involved, is a Mediterranean initiative aimed at promoting integrated resource management based on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFe) Nexus approach. As part of the Bonex project and to strengthen, according to this WEFe approach, the strategy of using desalinated water for irrigation was developed.
Actions taken
The BONEX project has organized a series of three collaborative workshops, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders: representatives from the water, energy, agriculture, environment, academic, civil society, and farmer sectors. These workshops gradually helped build a shared understanding of the WEFe Nexus and identify concrete solutions around the use of desalinated water in Morocco.
Main Achievement to date
Based on the obtained results and additional surveys, a central element of the project was the development of a practical guide for farmers, designed in collaboration with researchers, agricultural institutions, and local producers. This guide offers recommendations for the optimal use of desalinated water, combined with complementary technologies, to improve yields and plant nutrition and reduce environmental impacts. A training program has been set up to help people use it. It includes demonstrations, workshops, and other learning tools.
Lessons, replicability and scalability potential
The Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFe) Nexus approach allows for an understanding of all these interdependent issues. It highlights several key challenges: water scarcity for agriculture, high energy costs associated with desalination, and land degradation linked to the intensive use of chemical fertilizers. The WEFe approach applied to Souss-Massa has led to concrete progress in the sustainable management of resources, strengthening local agricultural resilience and offering a replicable model in other arid regions.
